The Power of Adaptability

A Realization of a Church Planter’s Wife

By Lisa Husmann

It was two years ago I discovered by taking an online test that my top personality strength was “adaptable”. (sigh) Hmmmm, not the most glamorous of traits. Matter of fact, I didn’t even realize it was a trait until that test. I wondered what “adaptable” looked like in my life. Turns out after strolling down memory lane I was able to see God’s gift of adaptability sprinkled through out my life.

Honestly, I am thrilled to have that trait because that is exactly what this “semi-normal girl” turned “pastor’s wife” turned “church planters wife” NEEDS to be: adaptable.

Josh: “Honey, I believe God is calling us from Southern California to plant a church in Indiana.”

Lisa:  “You’re right!”

Josh: “Honey, we are going to start the church in our house.”

Lisa:  “Okay babe!”

Josh: “Honey, We are going to be “portable” at a school through

out the winter.”

Lisa:  “I’ll help.”

Josh: “Honey, we are going to add two extra services.”

Lisa:  “That’s awesome!”

Josh:  “Honey, we are going to add Saturday night services too.”

Lisa:  “Cool Babe!”

SO I’VE REALIZED TWO THINGS:

1. I am totally killing it in the two word affirmation department. Being adaptable is not hindering God’s calling. It is leaning towards YES instead of falling into NO. Are you thinking, “You can’t always say yes”? You are right. Everyone needs healthy boundaries, days off, and an equal voice. When it comes to ministry, however, I honestly can’t think of a time I said no. (But feel free to fact check my husband on that one.) Personally, I have a hard time justifying hindering ministry. Peoples’ eternal lives are at risk.  What is more important than that?

2. God made me…adaptable…so that Josh and I could make a dynamic team together! We do make a dynamic team! And you know what? I love my teammate. I love how we work together. I love how our life is always an adventure being surprised by the next calling. I love how our excitement plays off each other. I love that we are movers and shakers together.

When Josh needs me on board for his huge vision I am all hands on deck. Let me tell you, Josh has had some doozy, God-sized visions and that excites me. I WANT to be a part of it. I love my life and I love my adaptable role. There is no other calling like it. 

Examples of Adaptable Church Planters

Hope City Church

A new facility! (Check) New people coming to check out your new facility! (Check) Chairs for those new folks to sit in? That’s another story.  One-year-old church plant Hope City in Carmel acquired a new facility and took possession a week later, just too quickly for chairs to be delivered. “When God miraculously provides a fabulous facility you take it, chairs or no chairs,” said Sara Ackermann, leader of the First Impressions team. The church quickly rented some folding chairs and asked their regular attendees to “Bring Your Own Chair”! The mood was electric as the church gathered in the new space the very first time, which quickly felt like home despite the chair dilemma. Home is where you belong, and at Hope City, belonging is a core value.

Echo Church

It was baptism Sunday and our usual pool that we do baptisms in at the YMCA was closed due to a last-minute maintenance issue. We had to do the baptisms in the lap pool, which was still open to the public. As we were baptizing people, swimmers continued to swim their laps as if nothing was going on. It was pretty hysterical watching people swim back and forth in the lap pool as if there wasn’t a big crowd of people and several people being baptized just a couple of feet away.

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